Voiceover can be such an isolating profession. Today, most of us have home studios and can spend long hours alone in a very small space…. Sometimes, I get a little stir crazy and need human contact!

I am also a believer in continuing education, in any profession. I’m like a shark, I need to keep movin’.  So when the chance came to meet some of my VO friends in person and hob nob with VO legends in the industry, I jumped at the chance!

So, this Fall, I went to LA for Randy Thomas’ VO Mastery conference! Randy Thomas, is a groundbreaking voiceover artist and currently the voice of the Oscars.  Each year, she puts on an amazing event where you can meet industry legends, mingle with casting directors, agents, the best voice over coaches in the business, get practical information on how to improve your craft, products that contribute not only to vocal health, but bank account health as well!

Well, right before I got off the plane, I wondered if it would be weird, I mean, after all, I barely knew these people. Many of my “friends” I had only seen pictures of on Facebook and others I had previously met via Skype or Zoom sessions. I’m happy to report that as soon as we saw each other, the bonds that had formed were real. It was so wonderful to meet these people face to face.

During the whirlwind weekend, there were panel discussions with agents, animation actors, vocal coaches, representatives from demo players companies, website builders, business advisers, vocal health experts..whew! They were all very informative-I didn’t leave a single one of these sessions without a serious “Ah Ha” moment! My only complaint is that they were too short.

However, the thrill of the weekend were the 2 small group Promo workshops I attended.  I was able to get in the recording booth and read in front of Joe Cipriano and David Kaye. At first, I admit, I was super intimidated  -I mean come on, these are two of the biggest names in VO.  They make it look and sound effortless! As we began to work, I forgot to be nervous and realized that this was where my heart and soul belongs. Their instruction changed how I view and approach voiceover, and I am grateful for opportunity to have been in the same room with them.

While some folks may bemoan the advent of social media, I have found it to be a lifesaver-not only have I been able to make business contacts that have propelled my business but I have made real, true friends.

However, my biggest takeaway from the VO Mastery experience is that all of these folks, some with decades of experience, love this business as much as I do. Yes, there is oodles of talent involved, but it’s also about passion and lots and lots and lots of hard work.

For more information about this fantastic conference visit http://randythomaspresents.com

New Year, New Website. Ok, I know, I know, it’s already March but I will still write checks (who writes checks???) with 2017 as the year until about June. So….

I like to communicate. I like to read, write, sing, dance and TALK. I find how humans communicate endlessly fascinating. The more effective we are with how we communicate the more successful we can be-no matter the endeavor. Many times when people want to hire a voice over for a website video or for an outgoing message, etc., they might think they want someone that sounds like Morgan Freeman or Meryl Streep when what they really mean,  most of the time, is someone who is a wonderful communicator . Someone who has the ability to get to the heart of the matter. Now, I’m not comparing myself to Freeman or Streep (Yikes!)  but I do consider myself an actor. My goal with each and every voiceover job I record is to make a CONNECTION, and to find the nuisance of the story-No matter if I am playing a character for a video game or recording an explainer video about new tires (yup, I’ve done that) AUTHENTICALLY connecting is the name of the game.

Perhaps you need an outgoing message that is friendly and attractive, but still knowledgeable. Maybe you need someone who sounds professional and mature for an explainer video. Whatever the essence of your message is, you need someone who will take the time to listen to you and then convey that message to your clients.

I realize that most of you are waaay too busy to actually read blogs. You are probably just looking to purchase a voiceover and want to know if I am right for the job. You have probably already gone to my demos and listened. Feel free to look around, listen to my demos, check out some of my recent videos and come back often!

Please contact me if you have any questions about how to hire a voiceover (even if I am not right for your current project). I can help! -or if you just want to say hello, I’d love to hear from you!